Control mechanism



Nov. 14, 1944. c. A. ARENs CONTROL MECHANISM Filed May s, 194g.

4 INVENTOR 5MP/a5 @ze/w LPatented Nov. 14, 1944A 2,362,458 l y CONTROL MECHANISM Charles A. Arens, Chicago, Ill.assignor to Arens Controls, Inc.,.Chicago', Ill., a corporation ofl Illinois n Application Mays, 1941, serialNo. 391,631-

i.(ol. 74-503) 12 Claims.

This invention relates to control mechanisms, particularly of the type adapted .to releasably retain the-control in a plurality of ladjusted positions.

, It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved' control mechanism, `and more specifically to provide a new and improved locking or holding mechanism in association there'- with whereby to .enable the control to releasably `retain the mechanism or device to be controlled in a plurality of adjusted positions.

A further. object of the invention is to provide a new and improved parking brake structure, for

automotive use and the like. y

Still further objects-fof the invention are to provide, in a device vof the type defined and having movements in opposite directions,` an improved locking or holding structure of increased holding effectiveness, and adaptable toimpact predetermined controlled'degrees of resitance toV movement both outwardlyfand 'inwardly; and further to provide. Aan improved' the principles of the inventiom Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view Vof a part of the device of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scalel andon the linew2-2 of Fig. 1; f

Fig. Sis a transverse sectional` view through the mechanism of Fig. 2, on a further enlargedscale and on the lline 3-3 thereof;

Fig. 4 is a dle structure; Figs. 5 and G are detail perspective views, re-

spectively, of the operating sleeve and the lock` ing `or holding mechanism control shaft;

Fig. 7 is a view of the control shaft as adapted foruse with a modified form of structure;

to Fig. 2, but illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention andincorporating the control shaft of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectionalv view ofthe perspective detail view of the han- I l 45I 5o Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view, similar mechanismof Fig. 8, onan enlarged scale andon the line 9-,9 thereof. y

In the drawing, the invention has been shown4 incorporated in a parking brakev construction for'l automotive use, orthe like, as certain features of the invention, and certain aspects thereof, are particularly adapted for such a structure and use. Itis vto be understood,v however, that the invention in other of its features and as-v pects may be adapted for use with control mechanisms generally; and,` particularly to lcontrol mechanisms adapted toxreleasably retain an operated device or mechanism in a plurality of' adjusted positions. n l I Referring .more particularlyv to the drawing,y and rst to the embodiment set forthl in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, it will be seen thatthe mechanism illustrated comprises a parkingbrake structurev adapted for automotive use or the like; More' specically the controllmechanism, generally indicated bythe numeral I0, is carried upon :the dashboard Il of the automotive vehicle, lfor example inthe upper lefthandl corner4 thereof, as,y illustrated in Fig. 1. The operating member or sleeve VI2 of -the control^mechanism is pivotally connected to one'ar'm of a bell-crank lever |31 pivotally mounted upon a frame bracket I4, the other-arm ofthe bell-crank being connected toV a'brake control rod or the like l5. It willbe understood that as the operating member I2 is adjusted inwardly or outwardly, vthe bell-crank 'I3 and associated control rod I5, will be operated to control the brake. More specifically, an outward movement of the' operating member, `to the right as seen in Fig. 1, applies the brake,'wherej as an inward movement -of the member to the left effects the brake release.,

The detailed construction of the control mechanism, and the manner of operation of the mem-U ber I2, will be -besiunderstood-by reference to Figs; 2 and 3,-and taken also with the detail views, Figs. 4, 5and 6. The control mechanism'in gen-A eral comprises the 'operating sleeve I2,A a housing or frame sleeve I6 within which the'sleeve I2 is longitudinally reciproca-ble, and a control shaft I1 associated `with and adapted to control the locking or holding means..r The frame sleeve i6, is rigidly secured to the dashboard Il by means', of cooperating clamping nuts I8 and I9 screwI threaded to the sleeveand adapted tobe clamped against the opposite faces of the dashboard. The nut I8 is providedwithan inwardly extending annular flange 20..,which engages the end of vthe sleeve. I6, andalso acts as anabutment for limit'-,v ing the inward or forward movement of 'the op-' erating sleeve I2 by reason of its engagement with a shoulder 2|, Fig. 5, formed on the sleeve. A lock washer or the like 22 may be interposed between the nut I9 and the dashboard, as shown.

A handle member 25 is secured to the end of the operating sleeve I2 by any suitable means, such as set screws or the like as indicated at 2B, a compression` spring 2.1. being,.arranged. within the handle and bearing. at one end against .the

handle body and at the other end against the end of the control shaft I'I. By means of the.. handle 2-5 the operating sleeve I2 may be longitudinally reciprocated within the frame sleeve; I5, or moved to any desired longitudinal position.

While the control shaft I'Ilimoves'generallywith thomperating sleeve I2, it is adapted'to be shifted slightly longitudinally with respect thereto to effect the operation of the locking-'or4 holding mechanism; and to enable this shifting. of the. control Shaft relative to the sleeve I2, the shaft' is provided-witht a"- han'dlmember 28v rig-idly. sesY cured to the shaft by meansaot'.' apin129 This: pin engages at'iitsmidf-sectionwitnzan opening n; Figui; frmedinztheccontrolishaft; .the'outerz ends-ofitliepin; one ofwhich is threademasxine dicadzefdA atiBI; having engagement; withf the?v liars-l diebodya 'llheoperating sleeves I 2f; asibestrshowne ii1iFig..5; is',providedwithidiametrically disposed' elongatedsl'otslz and '.33 adaptedL to: receive thee pin? A-sleeve2 34. is presseftt'edinto." the' handle:l member z8, so: tofinf effect form. airintegrar` partthere'ofP The@ duterr end; 35i of this. sleeve: is adaptedl to engage", thehandlei member 25, toserve asa limiting means formovementI of the: contro'lrod I .'I relativttrthe operatingsleeve)` I 2 in an'` outward: dlrectionz. Afcompressiblef filler membelril suolnassaipiecezozl'i'spongel` rubber, or" tlrefllke; Yfillsc the spacebetweerntne.- handlefmembersz andzaf.

'I'lei lookingf or: holding: elements cooperable'z withthecontrolf. rod I1? comprise aseriesiof three ball membersm-.Figsz Ziand 3; arrangedf within corresponding? openings; 41" forment im the sleeve; If2l, tHe-'balls bein'gz engageablecmtheir inmerl periplieries with; a: conical'V taperedt surface' 4-2f frmedionxtheendof theocntrol rod, and on their. peripheriesi witl the: internal 1 wall surface' ofi thezframe sleeve 'Its Asfthecontrclrod. ist urgeddnwardly on tothezrighti, as seeninfFig; 2,`

by the spring? 21-;.the: canrisnrface 42' urgesl the liallsrinto gripping 4 engagement against the` surefaceof'the'sleeve IIS.` y

In operation; normallyftlie compression spring* 2111 augmentedslightlyibyfthe-resilientrcompressie' bilityfofthespongeF-rubber member; urges theinward movement ofthe' operatng'sleeva |21; toy f the; right as seen Fig; 2E Moreparticularly, ifA the' sleeve I2' is pulled" outwardly by means oflthe handle25gjtwill' be seen'tliatsuch action tends, to' roll the* balls' 4U' along the surface` of' the' sleeve I6 in such' a*l mannerV that they tend? to roll down the tapered surface 42, diminishing the holding action. On the other hand, if the operating sleeve I2 is pushed inwardly, or to the right as seen in Fig. 2, such action tends to roll the balls up the surface 42 into increased holding eiectiveness. By properly determining the strength of the compression spring 21 and properly proportioning the parts, apositive lock may be obtained, resistant-tc movement: of; the cperating sleeve in an inward direction, while at the same time leaving the sleeve relatively free to be pulled outwardly, against or overcoming relatively Iiglitlfrctional resistance. In other words, the parking brake may be pulled outwardly, as seen in Fig. 1, to`apply the brake at any time merely by gripping andjpullng upon the handle 25, with; out release of the locking balls. The operating memberl i2l`will, however, be prevented from inward or retrograde movement, to release the brake, a substantially positive locking action being. provideda against, inwardmovement;

Not'only isa positive lockagainsi:y inwardmove' mentprovided, butthelo'cking action' isfinstantaeneous and present at all times by reason ofr'the maintainedfengagement ofthe balls"x 411-: in active holding position.-V Accordingly the operating. sleeve willy be' held': in: anyfoutwardi position to'y which. it may" be, pulled; without` even: partial retrograde motion: sucht as; gener-ally takes' pl'ace in'. the operation of' ratchettypeimechani'sms; It' is to be understoodathatthe:angularity; of the taperI 42 and. the; compressiveaforces of?l tliespring 2.1 cooperatively determine;y the: degree; of: holding force which will be obtained resistant tofbothtin'f` ward and outward. moveni'errt.y of theoperating sleeve' whenthez holdingrball's: are: in. operative position.. TheseL variables: may' be# controlled to4 meet the. requirement'szfor. any particular'instal.'-4 lation, producing, asrhas:` heretofore been stated, a holding' action tantamount to: a: positiveY lock: againstN inward movement, it: this' is.' desired; asin) a parking brakefinstallatiom orf the like:`

Tol effect.- thef release.7 of: the: holding; means:f whereby to permit the inward motion of thefop erating sleeve, the handlefmember 28 is; moved relatively towardthe handlermember 25; effecting@ thee outward movement of thecontrol f rod If'If andf the releasev ofi the holding; balls. Referring' tor Eig, 4, it will beseenthat the1handle-Inember`28, constitutes in effect an auxiliary ha-ndleor` release trigger with, respect. to the. main'handle 25, the operation of.A which. enablesh the.- release of: tl'iefbrake:mechanism.V Theltwo handles, when takentogether with theA llerpiece v36 constitute a.pistolgrip.handle; structure, the. auxiliary-hanfdle or release trigger-r 28,b.eing operable byy the operators forelnger. Tothis-endzitwill be noted that. the inner.. suraceoithe.handlemember 23K is shaped, as indicated: at.45 to confor-m to thev curvature of thev ngen. llhelller piece 36- not onlyr prevents, any part. of; the. operatorashand from becoming pincheidlbetweeristhe;handle-memA bers-,2i and. 28but also. provides,`suilicientY thickness to the handle structure so as to.enablee the.

-I,2.. rIhe downwardly extending portion of. the

main. handle member 2.5Y proyidesadirm grip-foi1 pulling` the. control mechanism., outwardly, as to. apply the brake.

Upon release of. the.. holding. bal1's,.the operat ing sleeve I2 may be readily moved inwardly until the limiting shoulder v2l Vengages the nut iiange 2U. Referring particularly to Fig. 3, it will `be noted that.Y three locking or holding balls 40 are provided. By reasonof this: arrangement the locking balls automatically center the control rod I1 so as to insure a substantially uniform application ofk holding pressure by the three balls.

In Figs. '7,L8iand 9 an embodiment of the invention is illustrated, :generally similar to that` More particularly in this inengagement surfaces. 'The operation of the em- `bodiment'illustrated inFigs, 7, 8 and-9 is believed to be clear from 'what has heretofore been set forth in reference to Figs. 1 tol 6 inclusive. In Fig. 8 the handle structure is illustrated in compressed or release position, as distinguished from a locking position, as illustrated by Fig. 2. vTc enable the mounting of thenuts 18a and ma upon the triangular sleeve I6, an adapter ring 5B havingr a threaded circular outer surfaceand a triangular `inner surface may bev press-fitted onto the sleeve. Similar adaptersl -and 52 may be employed to mount the triangular sleevesd 2a and 34a within the handle members.

Itis obvious that various changes may be made ments shown and described, but only as indicated .in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A control mechanism comprising a frame member adapted to be secured vto a support, an

elongated operating fmember axially shiftable Within the framezmember and adapted to be connected to a device to be controlled, and hold# ing meansfor releasablyholding the operating member fromv movement with respect to the frame member,` said holding means comprising a shiftable controlinember shiftablewithin the frame member andhaving an inclined cam surface, a holding element `shiftable along and controlled by said surface, said holdingelement being of increased holding effectiveness upon an outward movement thereof, and a handle secured to the control member for effecting lthe shifting thereof, said cam surface being of decreased effectiveness in a direction. extending away from said handle.

2. A control mechanism comprising a frame being of .increased holding effectiveness upon an outward `movement thereof, and a handlese-y cured'to the ycontrol rod foreffecting the shifting thereof, said cam surface being of decreased effectiveness in a direction extending away from said handle. i i

3. A control mechanism comprising a frame sleeve adapted to be secured to a support, an operating sleeve shiftable within the frame sleeve and adapted to be connectd to a device to be controlled, said operating sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforations extending therethrough, and holding means for releasably holding; the operating sleeve from movement with .respect Vto the frame sleeve, said` holding means comprising a control `rod shiftable within the operating sleeve and having a conically-shaped cam surface secured on one end thereof,aplu rality of holding relements arranged withinthe operating sleeve perforations, said holding `elements beingengageable by said conical cam surface and thrust thereby into engagement with the interior surface of the frame sleeve, and a handle secured to the control rod for effecting the shifting thereof,` said conical cam surfacey being of decreased" eiectiveness in a kdirection extending away` from .said handle.

4. A control mechanism comprising a fram member adapted to ybe secured toa support, an

operatingV sleeve shiftable relative tol the-frame member and adapted tobe'connected to a device to be controlled, and holdingmeans for releasably holding the operating sleeve from movement with respect to the frame member, said holding means comprising a control shaft shiftable within the operating sleeve and havingan inclined cam surface, a holding element `controlled by said surface, a handle secured to said operating sleeve-to effect the shifting thereof,- a juxtaposed handle for veecting the shifting of the control shaft, and 'f means extending through the operating sleeve for securing said last namedfhandle to the control shaft, said camA surface being of decreased eifectiveness in a direction extending away from said handles. y

5. A control mechanism comprising a frame member adapted to be secured to a supportgan elongated 'operating member axially'shiftable relative to the frame member and adapted to be connected to a device to be-controlled, said operating member having a handle connecting portion adjacent one end thereof, a. handle secured to the'handle connectingportionof thevoperating member for effecting the shifting thereof, and holding means` for releasably holdingthe operating member vfrom movement with respect tothe frame member, said holding means comsleeve adapted to be secured to a support, an

operating sleeve shiftable Within the frame sleeve and adapted to be connected to a device to be controlled, and holding means for releasably holding thegoperating sleeve for movement with respect to the frame sleeve, said holding means prising an elongated axially shiftable control member, an inclined cam surface, and a holding element controlled by said surface, said control member having a handle connecting portion adjacent one end thereof, a handle secured to the handle connecting portion of the control member for effecting its shifting, said control member handle being juxtaposed to the operating member handle, and the handle connecting portion of the control member being projected through the handle end portion of the operating member,

' and said control member handle being shiftable comprising a control rod shiftable within the operating sleeve and having an inclined cam surface, a, holding .element shiftable along and controlled by said surface, said holding-element .whereby the latter overlies a portion only of the surface of the operating `member handle.

y '1. Acontrol mechanismas `defined in claim 5 wherein the operating member hand-le is of greater extent transversely of the operating member axis than the control member handle, and wherein a resilient filler lelement is arranged between said handles whereby to form a pistol grip structure.

8. A control mechanism ycomprising an elongated sleeve-like frame member adapted to be secured to 4a support, a pair of elongated operating members disposed within the frame member and axially shiftable in respect thereto, said operatingmembers also being axially shiftable relative to each other through a predetermined distance, handles :secured to each of said operating members adjacent one end thereof, said handles being in .juxtaposition and being shiftable relative to each other to effect the relative shifting of the operating members, control means for locking the operating members to the frame member, said controlv means comprising an inclined cam surface formed on one of said operfating members, said operating members in the vicinity of said cam surface being shaped to provide bearing engagement between the operating members and with the sleeve-like frame member, and a. holding element shiftable along said surface and adapted to be brought into gripping ensagement with the frame member, and a member to be controlled connected to one of said operating members, said ycam surface being of decreased eectiveness in a direction extending away from said handles.

9. A control mechanism comprising an elonsecuredto a support, a pair of elongated operating members disposed within the frame member and axially shiftable in respect thereto, each of said operating members having handle connecting portions vadjacent one end thereof, said 'operating members also being axially shiftable relative to each other through a predetermined distance, handles secured to the handle connecting portions of said operating members, said handles being in juxtaposition and being shiftable relative to each other to eifect the relative shifting of the operating members, control means for locking the operating members to the Vframe member, said control means comprising an inclined cam surface connected with one of said operating members, and a holding element shiftable along said surface and adapted to be broughtinto .gripping engagement with the frame mem- -ber,`and a member to be controlled connected to one of lsaid operating members, the handle con- 'gated sleeve-like frame member adapted to be necting portion of one of the operating members extending through the handle end portion of the other operating member, said handles kbeing shiftable relatively toward yeach other to eiect the release of said control means.v

10. A control mechanism comprising an enlongated frame member adapted -to be secured to a support, a pair of elongated operating members disposed within the frame member and axially shiftable in respect thereto, said operating members also being axially shiftable 'relative to each other through a predetermined distance, handles secured to each of said operating members adjacent one end thereof, said handles being in juxtaposition and being shiftable relative to `each other to effect the relative shifting of the operating members, control means for lockin'gthe operating members to the frame member, Asaid control means comprising an inclined cam surface formed on one of said operating members, said cam surface being formed directly in the body of said last named Voperating member, and a holding element shiftable-along said surface and adapted to be brought into gripping engagement with the frame member, and a member to be controlled connected to one of said operating members, said cam surface being of decreased effectiveness in a direction extending away from said handles. A

`l1. A control mechanism comprising a frame member adapted to be secured to a support, a, pair of elongated Yoperating members axially shiftable in respect to and Within the frame member, said operating members also being axially shiftable relative to each other through a predetermined distance, holdingmeans for releasablyv holding the operating members from movement with respect to the frame member,

said holding means comprising an inclined cam surface and a holding 'element shi'ftable along and controlled by said surface and adapted to be thrust thereby outwardly into engagement with the frame member, handles secured to each of said operating members adjacent one end thereof, said handles being in juxtaposition and being shiftable relatively toward each other to decrease the holding effectiveness of said holding means, said cam surface being of decreased effectiveness in a, direction extending away from said handles, and a rlller block of resilient material disposed between said handle members and forming a bridging structure therebetween.

12. A control mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein said operating member handles are shiftable toward each other to decrease the holding effectiveness of the holding element.

CHARLES A. ARENS. 

